Eat Smart Move More South Carolina is pleased to announce the election of three new board members representing some pretty important areas – faith, rural communities, and law. They also add to the diverse make-up of the board, a focus area that ESMMSC has been addressing more intentionally. Joining the board are Reverend Sean Dogan, Phyllis Smart, and Phil Cristaldi.
“It’s important to have a diverse board that represents different perspectives and experiences,” says ESMMSC Executive Director Meg Stanley. “We are thrilled to have these three new board members who will have specific expertise in their respective areas. They are going to provide direction and growth and keep this organization on the right track.”
Reverend. Sean Dogan, Long Branch Baptist Church, Greenville, SC
Rev. Sean Dogan has served as Senior Pastor of the Long Branch Baptist Church, since 1997. Under his visionary leadership the church has grown to over 1,000 weekly attendees. He has led them in a multimillion-dollar building project and an environmental improvement project which included a stream restoration, rock sitting area, and the planting of over 60 trees. Pastor Dogan has initiated many programs that have positively affected the local community, including a monthly feeding program, farmers market, mobile market, scholarships, and business grant opportunities. In addition to his good work in the church and community, Pastor Dogan serves on numerous boards. He is a 1998 graduate of Clemson University, attended Shaw School of Divinity, in Raleigh, NC, and he’s a graduate of The Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Initiative (Spring 2011 Class). Pastor Dogan currently serves as Interim CEO / President of the Urban League of the Upstate. He is married to the former Satreva Young and to this union they have a beautiful daughter, Ramiah Dogan.
Phyllis Smart, The Smart Box, Allendale, SC
A native of St. Helena Island, SC, Phyllis Smart is the CEO/Founder of a 501c3 non-profit organization called The Smart Box where her mission is to enhance the quality of life for all individuals. The Smart Box, an Emergency Food pantry in Allendale County, serves over 400 families weekly. Phyllis has been an educator for over 13 years with a Master’s in Education. Phyllis is a licensed evangelist and author of a New York Times nominated book The Journey of a Helpmeet that has ministered to women all over the world. Her new book Rejection: The Silent Killer has taken the industry by storm. Sharing her battles with rejection is unlocking many different types of cages. Her motto is “With Soul Empowerment Comes Self Improvement.” She teaches individuals to love themselves without labels. Phyllis is a wife, mother, and Nana.
Phil Cristaldi, Ross & Cristaldi, LLC, Mt Pleasant, SC
Phil Cristaldi is a partner at Ross & Cristaldi, LLC where he concentrates his practice on insurance defense, construction defect, products liability, premises liability, personal injury and general civil litigation. Outside of the litigation realm, Phil offers non-litigation support for his clients providing advice related to industry issues and payment disputes, as well analyzing and drafting contracts in an effort to prevent disputes and provide protection in the future. He a magna cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a summa cum laude graduate of the Charleston School of Law where he graduated at the top of his class. Outside of the office, he is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys running, cycling, surfing, snowboarding, and spending time with his wife, Kelly, and dog, Shaka.
The slate of board members for 2021 is listed on the Board page.